Every girl has its own vision and definition of a dream wedding. Someone wanted extravagant and a big crowd, others wanted simple and intimate one. But for me, I was turn between these two - since I prefer intimate, but I have also have to consider and respect my parents’ preferences. No matter what happen, our wedding should reflect US - by adding personal touches through DIY. I already invision our invitations, souvenirs, dress, suit, decor - I basically planned everything. Sometimes in the middle of DIYing, I somehow felt regretful, “why did i start this” because it takes a lot of time, energy, creativity, and even money. But looking back, every bit of it was worth it.
Here are the things proudly DIY-ed for our big day:
1. Prenup Photoshoot and Video
We both are kind of “camera shy” and doesn’t feel much comfortable under the spotlight. So we decided to have our own photoshoot using my phone camera, setting nearby spots such as our own front yard, empty street, and abandoned house. I thrifted clothes from thrift shops and did our own make-up.
2. Wedding Website as Invitation
I never had an experience of creating a website before. I was inspired of several videos about doing their own wedding website. Invitations cost a lot of money, in order to save and considered unique, I decided to make our own website and used this as an invitation. Link was sent to guests with RSVP so that their presence were confirmed.
3. Bouquet, Boutonnieres, Mirror Signage and Welcome Board
Hiring florist is expensive and I wanted to preserve my own bouquet and my husband’s boutonniere, and use the mirror when we have our own little house. I used pipe cleaners to make flowers for the first while taking lessons on how to do it in video tutorials.
4. Ring and Coin Boxes and Souvenirs
Online personalized wedding essentials were available but my heart would be full if I make it my own. Therefore, we made a fruit wine, personally processed and fermented the fruits into wine, bottled, and labeled with our monogram I created in canva.
5. Wedding Dress
I didnt make my own wedding dress but since it was thrifted so I considered it DIY. Its rare to find a bride that prefers thrifted wedding dress and Im proud to say Im one of the few. For less than 1000 pesos I had an elegant wedding dress and take note I personally handwash that dress. 😅
6. Vows, Money Envelope, Monogram
These tiny details if added still cost significant amount of money if you ask someone to do it for you. Aside from saving the pocket, it boosts my ego if I would personally made these things and so I did. The free account in canva made it possible. Thanks canva 😘
DIY-ing was hard for a corporate bride working six days a week and eight hours a day - but realizing the impact of it made it even more personal, memorable, and suprisingly affordable. 😂😂 If you are a future bride and groom reading this - this is a sign to DO IT YOURSELF. It doesnt have to be perfect but trust me it will be worth it. 🧡
